He will be assigned to the Phillies' triple-A team, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the International League.

It is unknown in what capacity the power-hitting Cust will be used, however if he earns a promotion to the major leagues in September, it could very likely be as a pinch-hitter off the bench. The Phillies' bench has been rather unimpressive offensively in 2011 and Cust might provide a boost.

He could also be used solely as minor league depth, as he has always been a solid hitter at that level.

The left-handed hitting Cust began the 2011 season with the Seattle Mariners, but was released on August 4 after hitting a meager .213 with three home runs, 23 RBI and 87 strikeouts in 67 games.

A first-round draft pick in 1997, Cust did not become a major league starter until 2007, at age 28. With the Oakland Athletics, he averaged 28 home runs and 76 RBI a year from 2007 to 2009, leading the league in strikeouts each of those seasons.